WA government to fund $120m Perth waterfront redevelopment

The Western Australian government has pledged to revitalise Perth’s Ocean Reef waterfront precinct, committing to a $120-million mixed-use project after much discussion surrounding the area’s future.

Ocean Reef posed a contentious issue in the previous state election cycle, with both sides of the political spectrum proffering their own ideas of how to salvage the area from neglect. At the time, former opposition leader and now premier, Mark McGowan, promised to allocate $40-million towards making the area a hub of commercial, residential and tourism activities.

The same government has now tripled their financial commitment to the area, which will allow for a mixed-use precinct that incorporates short-stay accommodation, commercial and retail space, boardwalks, communal buildings, boat pens and storage, and up to 1,000 residential dwellings. The project will also ensure “a sustainable interface between the urban and natural environment”.

McGowan says that the increased funding will make way for more than $500-million worth of private sector investment in the precinct. Federal funding is also being sought for the project.

Concept plans for the revitalised Ocean Reef have already been drawn up by urban planning firm Taylor Burrell Barnett. Landcorp, the state development agency, will work with the City of Joondalup on an environmental review of the site and the finalisation of plans.

Construction on the Ocean Reef revitalisation project is expected to begin by 2020. The concept plan for the area can be viewed here.